According to a new NASA study, when America goes back to the moon and on to Mars it will do so with hardware that looks very familiar.
NASA has decided to build two new launch systems – both of which will draw upon existing Space Shuttle hardware. One vehicle will be a cargo-only heavy lifter, the other will be used to launch the Crew Exploration Vehicle.
July 1st, 2005
NASA Plans to Build Two New Shuttle-derived Launch Vehicles SpaceRef.com
March 26th, 2004
NASA Mars Terraforming Debate to be held at Astrobiology Conference SpaceRef.com
A group of science fiction writers, academic luminaries and NASA scientists will hold a lively debate about terraforming Mars at NASA Ames Research Center on March 30, 2004. The debate is the first in a new series of discussions entitled “Science Fiction Meets Science Fact.” This series is the result of a shared vision between NASA, Breakpoint Media and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, scheduled to open in summer 2004. The free, open-to-the-public debate will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST in the main tent on the Moffett Field parade grounds at NASA Ames.
March 1st, 2004
NASA Set to Make Major Mars Science Announcement SpaceRef.com
After several days of growing speculation NASA has scheduled an announcement at NASA Headquarters regarding discoveries made by the Mars Exploration Rovers
February 2nd, 2004
Overview of NASA’s FY 2005 Budget SpaceRef.com
After weeks of hinting at what was in store, NASA finally released details of its FY 2005 budget. More importantly they provided insight into how the President’s recently announced space policy will be implemented. [see NASA budget documents and OMB NASA FY 2005 budget documents]
December 17th, 2003
Association of Mars Explorers calls for station on Mars SpaceRef.com
On the 100th anniversary of the first airborne flight, the Association of Mars Explorers is calling upon the President to set an ambitious goal of landing humans on Mars and establishing a permanent presence there. The President of the Association for 2002-2004, Charles Cockell, Ph.D. said, “Mars has polar ice caps as big as Antarctica, deserts, canyons and volcanoes higher than Everest. As an environment for human exploration, it has the potential to provide excitement to human explorers for centuries”.
July 1st, 2003
Read the Astrobot Diaries SpaceRef.com
A new breed of explorer is on board the two Mars Exploration Rover spacecraft — Astrobots Biff Starling and Sandy Moondust are part of The Planetary Society Astrobot Corps. Biff and Sandy are LEGO minifigure representations suited up for space. They appear on each of the DVDs on the MER spacecraft. Their job: tell their stories to the world through a series of entertaining, fun, online communications.
September 28th, 2002
Polygonal Patterned Ground: Surface Similarities Between Mars and Earth SpaceRef.com
On Earth, periglacial is a term that refers to regions and processes where cold climate contributes to the evolution of landforms and landscapes. Common in periglacial environments on Earth, such as the arctic of northern Canada, Siberia, and Alaska, is a phenomenon called patterned ground. The “patterns” in patterned ground often take the form of large polygons, each bounded by either troughs or ridges made up of rock particles different in size from those seen in the interior of the polygon.
September 28th, 2002
NASA’s Mars Pathfinder: Five Years Later SpaceRef.com
Five years ago, on September 27, 1997, NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory began to lose communication and battery power to the Mars Pathfinder mission, ending its highly successful exploration.
September 21st, 2002
Obituary: Dr. Robert L. Forward SpaceRef.com
It is my sad duty to inform you that Dr. Robert L. Forward has left this mortal Earth. Bob passed away early in the morning on September 21, 2002. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, at 1 p.m. at the Westwood Hills Congregational Church in Westwood, CA (Los Angeles area). Bob Forward leaves behind a truly astounding legacy. In addition to his pioneering work on solar sails, space tethers, antimatter propulsion, and other advanced space propulsion technologies, Bob also performed seminal work in several other areas, including smart structures and gravitational astronomy.
September 13th, 2002
Canadian Space Agency President Marc Garneau Pushes Mars Agenda SpaceRef.com
If former astronaut Marc Garneau has his way, Canada will soon become an important partner in several upcoming Mars missions. Garneau would also like to see Canada become a leader in several new space technology fields as well.